Garment marking device



Sept. 26, 1967 R. M. OHLIN GARMENT MARKING DEVICE Original Filed Deo.10, 1962 vf Il),

- INVENTOR @0M/WM5 M f/L/A/ United States Patent O 3,343,727 GARMENIMARKING DEVICE Romaine M. Ohlin, 4091/2 S. Almanzor, Alhambra, Calif.91861 Original application Dec. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 243,336, now PatentNo. 3,210,849, dated Oct. 12, 1965. Divided and this appiication Dec.23, 1964, Ser. No. 451,082

6 Claims. (i. 222-193) The present application is a division ofco-pending application Ser. No. 243,336, entitled, Garment MarkingDevice, filed Dec. 10, 1962, in the name of the same inventor and nowissued as Patent No. 3,210,849.

This invention relates to garment marking devices and more particularlyto an improved and simplified device equally suitable for use in dressshops or by home seamstress to mark hemlines and the like of articles ofclothing with accuracy and certainty under the control of a personwearing the garment to be marked without assistance from any otherperson.

Marking devices of the type to which the present invention relates havebeen proposed heretofore, but these have been subject to certaindisadvantages and shortcomings though to be overcome by the presentinvention. For example, certain prior constructions are characterized bytheir bulkiness and comprises an excessive and -unnecessary number ofcomponents. Others are unnecessarily costly and are ditiicult tooperate, particularly by a single operator.

These and other shortcomings of prior marking devices are overcome bythe present invention which is characterized by its simplicity,lightness, demouutability, and positive action, as well as by itsconvenience and ease of use. Only a single supporting standard isrequired. Adjustably supported along this standard by means avoidingneed for adjustable clamping fasteners is a bracket for thechalk-dispensing and marking hoop. The latter is held assembled to thebracket by a single fastener and comprises a lightweight tube providedwith a continuous slot opening inwardly along a horizontal plane. Themarking powder is contained within `a nonrellable reservoir connected incircuit with a exible tube and a squeeze bulb. The marking powder isdispensed along the tube and through the continuous slot in response tomanipulation of the squeeze bulb by the user. Once the material has beenconsumed it is merely necessary to substitute a replacement chargereservoir easily and quickly accomplished without risk of spilling themarking fluid material.

Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention to provide asimplified and improved garment marking device characterized by itssimplicity, effectiveness, relia-bility and the ease with which it canbe assembled for use and demounted after use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved marking devicefeaturing a dispensing reservoir of a nonreiillable type so designed asto be easily and simply connected in circuit with the squeeze bulb.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a marking device forgarments `featuring a pedestal having a marking material dispensing hoopclampable in any desired position therealong without the need foradjustable fasteners having moving parts.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading thefollowing specification and claims and upon considering in connectiontherewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the markingdevice assembled for use;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view on enlarged scale partly in sectionshowing details of the adjustable support for the marking tube bracketand taken along line 2-2 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3 3 ofFIGURE 1 showing structural details of the marking material reservoir;and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view ofthe dispensing devicetaken along broken line dk4 of FIG- URE 3.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a preferredembodiment of the marking device designated generally 1t). This devicecomprises a pedestal 11, marking material dispensing hoop 12 and asqueeze bulb 13 for supplying marking powder to this hoop from a storagereservoir 14.

The pedestal comprises an upright lightweight tube 15 suitably rigidlyconnected to a weighted base 16 resting on the floor. Desirably, tube 15is provided with a measuring scale along one or more sides indicatingthe height of the hoop above the floor level. Suitably secured to theupper end of tube 15 is a spring clip 17 for resiliently receivin-g andsupporting squeeze bulb 13 in a convenient position to be grasped by theuser.

Slidably supported along tube 15 is an arcuate bracket 18 for thedispensing hoop. As here shown, this bracket is stamped from lightweightsheet metal and has a downturned flange 19 along its rim to strengthenthis bracket and effective to protect the person and his clothingagainst injury. Suitably secured to the under mid-portion of bracket 18is a U-shaped bracket 20 provided with an opening 21 in axial alignmentwith an opening 22. Firmly supported in these openings are identicalrubber grommets 23, the central openings 24 of which have a slidingfrictional fit with the outer surface of tube 15. It will be understoodthat bracket 18 is slidable along tube 15 when firmly grasped and pulledin one direction or the other along the tube, but that the grommets 23are effective to anchor this bracket firmly in any adjusted position towhich it is moved. This locking action is enhanced by the fact that theload carried by bracket 18 always acts downwardly from a point offsetlaterally from the axis of tube 15. For this reason the bracket tends topivot away from the horizontal causing both grommets to press againstthe tube more firmly thereby increasing the frictional contact With thetube.

Projecting upwardly from the center of bracket 18 is is a screw 26 whichis welded, brazed, or otherwise firmly secured inp lace. A mountingmember 27 secured to. hoop 12 has an opening 28 sized to tit over theshank of screw 26. A thumbnut 29 threaded over the upper end of thisscrew serves to clamp member 27 rigidly in place on bracket 1S.

Preferably and as here shown, hoop 12 is formed from narrow strip metalthe edges of which are rolled toward one another to form a tube having anarrow slot 31 extending the full length thereof and formed by theclosely spaced apa-rt lateral edges of the strip material. This slotfaces radially inwardly as is made clear by FIGURES 1 and 2. Theopposite ends of this hoop are securely anchored in any suitable mannerto bores opening through the opposite faces of mounting member 27 andinto a well 33. A tubular fitting 34 is threaded or otherwise secured tothe upper end of well 33 and seats the discharge end of a flexible hoseor tube 35.

The non-refillable supply reservoir 14 for the marking material andforming an important feature of the invention is best shown in FIGURES 3and 4. As there shown by way of example, the reservoir comprises twotubes of transparent plastic material 40, 41 fused together at 42. Theends of the lower or powder-charged e; tube 41 are permanently closed byplugs 45, 45 and similar but apertured plugs 46, 46 are similarlymounted in the opposite ends of upper tube 40. Tubes 40 and 41 are incommunication with one another through a small port 48. End cap 46 isprovided with a threaded aperture 49 for receiving the tubular litting50 of squeeze bulb 13, there being an O-ring or other gasket 51 mountedabout the threaded portions of the fitting 50.

The discharge of powdered chalk or other marking material 52 containedin tube 41 is preferably controlled by means now t be described andincluding imperforate tube 53 telescoped over a tubular nipple formed onthe inner side of cap 46. A threaded tube 54 is adjustably supported inan opening through end cap 46 and is provided with a plurality of ports55. Its innermost end is of smaller diameter than tube 53 for reasonswhich will become apparent presently. Tube 54 is provided with a taperedend 56 over which hose 35 iits and is held detachably in place thereonas by low height ribs or the like and is adjustable in end cap 46 tovary the position of its ports 55, 55 with respect to port 4S and alsoto vary the degree of overlap of tubes 53 and 54, This adjustament isfound highly effective in varying the quantity of powder which isdispensed upon manipulation of the squeeze bulb.

In operation marking device is set up as illustrated in FIGURE 1.Normally hoop 12 and its mounting member 27 will be detached frombracket 18. The hoop is assembled by removing the thumbnut 29 and thenplacing mounting member 27 over screw 26 with portions of the hoop toeither side of mounting member 27 firmly supported on the outer ends ofbracket 18 and against the backstops thereon. The thumbnut is then irmlytightened over the upper end of the screw.` lf hose is not alreadyattached to tubular fitting 34 of the distributing hoop, the hose ispressed over the upper end of this fitting.

The next step is to adjust bracket 18 and the attached hoop 12 alongtube 15 until the hoop lies at the desired height above the floor level.This condition is assured when the horizontally disposed distributingslot 31 of the hoop lies at the elevation desired for the lower edge ofthe skirt or other garment to be marked. To change the adjustedposition, the user grasps bracket 18 in an area close to tube 15 andshifts it longitudinally of the tube until slot 31 is at the desiredheight. Once this is achieved, the self-clamping rubber grommets griptube 15 and lock the bracket and hoop lirmly in the new position.

The user, wearing the garment to be marked, then steps into hoop 12 andmakes certain that the garment is properly adjusted and lying inside thehoop and that tube contains powder. Squeeze bulb 13 is collapsed one ormore times. This causes a flow of air to pass along the tube 35. As theair moves through reservoir 14 considerable turbulence is created andthis is effective to entrain marldng powder and pass it through ports 55into tube 54 and thence along hose 35 and into hoop 12 for dispersionhorizontally inward against the garment to be marked. This powderadheres firmly to the garment in a narrow line. The operator replacesthe squeeze bulb in clip 17 and steps from the hoop.

The charge of powder within reservoir 14 is adequate to mark manygarments before becoming exhausted. When this does occur, the usermerely unscrews squeeze bulb 13 from one end of reservoir 14 anddetaches hose 35 from the other. A new reservoir charged with markingpowder is then inserted in lieu of the exhausted reservoir and themarking device is ready for continued use.

Although the drawings, and particularly FIGURE 2, illustrate a pair ofgrommets 23 of resilient material providing an adjustable frictionclutch between bracket 18 and tube 15, it will be understood that asingle sleeve of resilient material may be substituted. This sleeve maycomprise a plain cylindrical member suiciently long to span the distancebetween the present pair of grommets and having an annular liangeoverlying and bonded or otherwise secured to bracket member 1S. It willbe understood that the bore of this sleeve fits tube 15 rather snuglyand permits the bracket and hoop 12 to be adjusted freely to any desiredposition and to retain the bracket and hoop firmly in any adjustedposition.

While the particular garment marking device herein shown and disclosedin detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing theadvantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention andthat no limitations are intended to the details of construction ordesign herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A nonreiillable powder container and dispensing device for use with agarment marker, said device cornprising a housing for tine powder,partition means dividing the interior thereof into a powder storagechamber and a powder dispensing chamber, said dispensing chamber lhavingan air inlet opening adapted to be connected to a squeeze bulb and anair and powder outlet adapted to be connected to a garment markingdevice, said dispensing chamber having a pair of `tubular memberstherein of different diameters, each having one end thereof connected toa respective one of said inlet and outlets and their other ends inaligned telescopic relationship, said partition having a small port forreleasing a small quantity of powder from said storage chamber into saiddispensing chamber, and said telescoped ends being suii'iciently spacedapart so that when a stream of air is conducted through said tubularmembers, a portion of the air will escape 'between their telescoped endsto create a cloud of powder in said dispensing chamber for entrainmentinto said stream of air.

2. The device defined in claim 1 characterized in that one of saidtubular members is provided with ports in the side walls thereof andopening into the interior of said dispensing chamber.

3. The device defined in claim 2 characterized in that one of saidtubular members is adjustable lengthwise thereof toward and away fromthe adjacent inner end of the other of said tubular members.

4. The device defined in claim 1 characterized in that at least one ofsaid tubular members has an outer end projecting beyond the exteriorwall of said device.

5. A powder containing and dispensing device for use with a garmentmarker, comprising:

(a) A partition dividing the interior of said device into a powderstorage chamber and a powder dispensing chamber, said dispensing chamberhaving an air inlet opening adapted to -be connected to a squeeze bulb,and an air and powder outlet opening adapted to be connected to agarment marking device, and said partition having at least one smallopening -therein for releasing a small quantity of powder from saidstorage chamber into said dispensing chamber; and

(b) means having lirst and second tubelike segments within saiddispensing chamber, said second segment having at least one opening inthe wall thereof, one end of said first segment being connected -to saidinlet opening and one end of said second segment being connected to saidoutlet opening, the remaining ends of said segments being aligned witheach other but suliiciently separated so that when a stream of air isconducted through said -tubelike segments, a portion of the air willescape between said remaining ends to create a cloud of powder in saiddispensing chamber for entrainment into said stream of air and thenceout said outlet opening.

6. A powder containing and dispensing device for use with a garmentmarker, comprising:

(a) A powder storage chamber and a powder dispensing chamber separatedby a partition having an opening therein for releasing a quantity ofpowder from said dispensing chamber and to said powder-dispensingstorage chamber into said dispensing chamber; and means.

(b) interconnecting means within said dispensing cham- References Citedber and including rst and second segments, said sec- UNITED STATESPATENTS ond segment having at least one opening therein, one 5 end ofsaid first segment being adapted to 'be conoggmg 11/1937 Puce 33 9'1nected to a squeeze bulb and one end of said second 2 207 5/1940 Ayres222`193 segment beinf7 adapted to be connected to power- 2501047 3/195()Gusfafsson et al 222`193 dispensing means, the remaining ends of saidrst and second segments being aligned with each other 10 FOREIGN PATENTSbut suiciently separated so that when a stream of 8861222 1/1962 GreatBritain.

ai-r is conducted through said rst and second segments, a portion of theair will escape between said ROBERT B REEVES, primary Examiner,remaining ends to create a cloud of powder for entrainment into saidstream of air and thence out said 15 F R HANDREN Asslmmt Exammer'

1. A NONREFILLABLE POWDER CONTAINER AND DISPENSING DEVICE FOR USE WITH AGARMENT MARKER, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A HOUSING FOR FINE POWDER,PARTITION MEANS DIVIDING THE INTERIOR THEREOF INTO A POWDER STORAGECHAMBER AND A POWDER DISPENSING CHAMBER, SAID DISPENSING CHAMBER HAVINGAN AIR INLET OPENING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SQUEEZE BULB AND ANAIR AND POWDER OUTLET ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A GARMENT MARKINGDEVICE, SAID DISPENSING CHAMBER HAVING A PAIR OF TUBULAR MEMBERS THEREINOF DIFFERENT DIAMETERS, EACH HAVING ONE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO ARESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID INLET AND OUTLETS AND THEIR OTHER ENDS IN ALIGNEDTELESCOPIC RELATIONSHIP, SAID PARTITION HAVING A SMALL PORT FORRELEASING A SMALL QUANTITY OF POWDER FROM SAID STORAGE CHAMBER INTO SAIDDISPENSING CHAMBER, AND SAID TELESCOPED ENDS BEING SUFFICIENTLY SPACEDAPART SO THAT WHEN A STREAM OF AIR IS CONDUCTED THROUGH SAID TUBULARMEMBERS, A PORTION OF THE AIR WILL ESCAPE BETWEEN THEIR TELESCOPED ENDSTO CREATE A CLOUD OF POWDER IN SAID DISPENSING CHAMBER FOR ENTRAINMENTINTO SAID STREAM OF AIR.